Improvement in can-openers



PATENT OFFICE.,

JAMES r. O. LOwNsDALE, OE PORTLAND, OREGON.

IMPROVEMENT IAN ACAN-OPENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l.96,9l, dated November 6, 1877,; application filed August 18, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES P. 0. LowNs- DALE, of Portland, in the county of `Multno mah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Gan-Openers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and'operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,

making a part of this specification, and to provided with a single point, scalloped cutting-edges, a collar, and inclined cutting-edges with a space between them, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

f The annexed drawing, to which reference is made, fully illustrates my invention. p

B represents a cylindrical-shaped singlepointed cutter, made of sheet-steel, with the point H and the waved or scallop -shaped Y cutting-edge C. At the upper end of said cutter is formed a collar or bead, D, and at the two ends of the collar or bead are formed vertical cutting-edges bib, with an opening, a, between them. The cutter B is fastened with screws or nails F to a round head-block, Gr

and then the whole is let into and secured to a cross-bar or handle, A, -with screws E.

The manner of operating this can-opener is as follows: Place it upon its point O11 the endv Or side of the can, and, with the hands holding both ends of the handle A, press steadily downward tillsaid handle brings up on the end or side of the can, thereby cutting out a circular opening complete, except the space a; then, with a slight turnby the handle, the neck of the chip will be severed with one of the cutting-edges b b, thus completing the opening.

The space abetween these cutting-edges will usually be only about half an inch, more or less, and is of great importance. If the points b b were brought together and oonnected, leaving no space, in forcing the cutter down, there would be a neck of the chip that would be severed by-tearing, and would require rather heavy pressure to tear it off g but as formed with the space a, the entire cutter cuts through unobstructed, when, with a slight turn of the handle, the neck is easily cut with one of the cutting-edges b b, thus the circular openin g.

The collar or bead D enlarges the opening made by the cutter, so that it can be easily removed from the opening.

Without the bead or collar to stretch the opening, the cutter is liable to bind and hang between the edges of the opening, making it somewhat difficult to lift out.

The cutting-edges b b are so curved as to give a slanting or oblique cut across the neck of the chip, thereby severing the neck much easier than ii' it were a cut square across the edge of the tin.

The collar or bead D is also utilized as a shoulder to the cutter in its connection with the cross-bar vor handle A, rendering it very rm and strong.

When the cutter is. pressed home into the can the bead or collar D while operating to stretch the opening made in the can, has also the eiiect at the same time to bend down the kchip at its neck, thereby giving the'cutting edges b b still more of a slanting cut across the edge of the neck.

The waved or scallop-shaped cutting-edges C cause it to cut through the tin or other can metal more easily thanv if the edge were straight. It drives down through the tin very easily and rapidly.

YWhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the recessed handle A with the cylindrical-shaped cutter B, having the single point H, scalloped cutting-edges C, collar D, and shoulder s, and the head-block Gr, removably attached in the recess of th handle, substantially as described. Y

Y In testimony that I claim the aboveA I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES P. 0. LOWNSDALE.

Witnesses:

HENRY E. MCGINN, CYRUs A. SWEEK.

completing 

